rota vicentina ‑ the fishermen’s trail A UTracks active holiday is all about exploring Europe your way. It’s about walking or cycling the incredible trails of Europe and becoming completing immersed in your travel experience. Since we began in 2006, UTracks has been the leader in active European holidays. Our itineraries have always been creative, rewarding, and very affordable. With over 450 active trips across the continent, UTracks offers unique opportunities explore europe your way to discover an untrodden Europe that spans postcard‑perfect landscapes, centuries‑old cultures, rural lifestyles and tempting gastronomic delights. You can choose to set your own pace on a flexible self guided journey or enjoy the benefits of an experienced local guide on a small group tour. We cater to all fitness abilities with our honest graded system that defines our trips from introductory to challenging. 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TRIP COST TRIP NAME: ROTA VICENTINA ‑ THE Joining Porto Covo FISHERMEN’S TRAIL Portugal Spain from : $980 TRIP CODE: RVC Lisbon Trip Concludes: Odeceixe TRIP DURATION: 7 DAYS All prices are per person GRADE: MODERATE TO CHALLENGING ‑ 4 Porto Covo OPTIONS & SUPPLEMENTS Odeceixe ACTIVITY: SELF GUIDED WALK H - High Season Faro Surcharge: $180 ACCOMMODATION: 6 NIGHTS IN RURAL B&BS Single Supplement - AND 3 STAR HOTELS Low Season: $540 DATE DETAILS: DAILY FROM 6 JAN TO 30 NOV Solo Traveller Surcharge - Low Season: $610 highlights Hike through the impressive coastal scenery of the Alentejo region Single Supplement - Stay in comfortable family run accommodation in pretty coastal towns High Season: $690 Swim at remote beaches away from the busy resorts Single Traveller Get away from the crowds on this new long‑distance walking path Surcharge - High Season: $780 the trip As the trip price is based on twinshare, The Rota Vicentina is a long‑distance footpath which opened in 2013 and represents a successful a single supplement is payable if eco‑tourism initiative to develop low impact tourism in a relatively untouched region of Portugal. you are not sharing with a friend / family member ‑ or a single traveller The trail connects Cape St Vincent, Portugal’s most south‑westerly point, to the village of Odeceixe, supplement if you are travelling solo*. where it splits into two trails; the Historical Way which heads inland and the Fishermen’s Trail which Please refer to the price options for costs or ask our office for details. follows the coast to Porto Covo. This trip follows the Fishermen’s Trail from Porto Covo to Odeceixe. Note regarding single rooms ‑ The To the south of the bustling capital of Lisbon awaits a contrasting landscape of wild beauty, where single supplement guarantees the tourists rarely visit despite endless beaches and authentic fishing villages. This is the Alentejo privacy of your own room, however, rooms can at times be small and in region, covering a third of Portugal’s land mass but just 4% of its population. Following this dramatic some places may not enjoy the same coast where wildflowers and butterflies keep company with just a handful of hikers, there is ample facilities as double/twin rooms. opportunity to take a swim or a rest break overlooking the endless ocean. In the evening, enjoy *The single traveller surcharge is only available on trips deemed suitable carefully handpicked accommodation where your hosts take pride in the cuisine and culture of the for solo travellers. It is usually more region and where delicious seafood and delectable wine is standard. expensive than the single supplement due to the extra cost for luggage transfers and organisation. IMPORTANT NOTES © World Expeditions Travel Group - Dana Garofani 1/31/2020 5:39:40 PM Page 1 rota vicentina ‑ the fishermen’s trail H - High Season DN1 - High season is from 3 to 12 April itinerary at a glance (Easter), from 15 Jun to 15 Sep and during festivals ‑ supplement applies. Day 1 Arrive in the fishing town of Porto Covo Public holidays and special events may attract further supplements. Day 2 Walk to Vila Nova de Milfontes along white sand beaches (6‑7hrs) DN2 - It is not possible to do this trip in December due to hotel closures. Day 3 Continue along rugged cliffs to Almograve (5hrs) Day 4 Walk to the white village of Zambujeira do Mar (6‑7hrs) Day 5 Continue on foot to Odeceixe (6hrs) Day 6 Day at leisure to relax at the beach or optional walk (3‑4hrs) Day 7 Trip concludes detailed itinerary DAY 1 Arrive in the fishing town of Porto Covo Make your own way to the first hotel in Porto Covo. Porto Covo is a beautiful beach resort town located on the western Alentejo coastline. The small town is surrounded by some of the finest beaches of central Portugal. meals: NIL DAY 2 Walk to Vila Nova de Milfontes along white sand beaches (6-7hrs) Today you will follow the coast. Walk along the vast sand dunes area of Ilha do Pessegueiro, Aivados and Malhão beaches and discover small deserted coves. The terrain today is constantly sandy, but the diversity of the beaches you pass will surprise you. Overnight at Vila Nova de Milfontes. Distance: 19km/11.8mi meals: B DAY 3 Continue along rugged cliffs to Almograve (5hrs) During today’s walk you will marvel at the views over Vila Nova de Milfontes and the Mira river and the point where it meets the ocean. Leaving Vila Nova de Milfontes you can walk or avoid the first few kilometres and cross the river by boat (not included). The natural vegetation that covers the hillsides attracts many different bird and small mammal species. At low tide you will be able to see the marshes on the river bends, which are partially submerged and covered with reeds. Continue along rugged cliffs to Almograve, where you will stay overnight. Distance: 15km/9.3mi meals: B DAY 4 Walk to the white village of Zambujeira do Mar (6-7hrs) Today you will walk past small fishing harbours and reddish sand dunes, all while delighting in the scent of pine tree forests and the sight, seen nowhere else in the world, of storks nesting on the cliffs. The cliffs you will see during this part of the journey, despite being exposed to the salty ocean winds, are the nesting site for over twenty species of bird! These include Jackdaw, Shag, Common Kestrel, Rock Dove, White Stork, Peregrine Falcon and Black Redstart. This afternoon you will arrive in the white village of Zambujeira do Mar - your destination for today. Distance: 20km/12.4mi meals: B © World Expeditions Travel Group - Dana Garofani 1/31/2020 5:39:40 PM Page 2 rota vicentina ‑ the fishermen’s trail DAY 5 Continue on foot to Odeceixe (6hrs) Today is another interesting walk along the clifftops. Along the way you will pass the beaches of Alteirinhos, Carvalhal, Machados and Amália. You’ll find a natural fishing harbour at Azenha do Mar. A real highlight of today is the stunning views of Odeceixe beach seen from the majestic Ponta em Branco. Overnight in Odeceixe. Distance: 18km/11.2mi meals: B DAY 6 Day at leisure to relax at the beach or optional walk (3-4hrs) Today you have the choice of pending the day at leisure, relaxing on the beach, or taking a short optional walk along the Odeceixe beach circuit. This circuit takes you along the coast, walking along fishermen’s trails. You’ll walk among the dunes, passing the Seixe river, and enjoying views of yesterday’s walk. Overnight in Odeceixe. Optional walk distance: 9km/5.6mi Picnic lunch can be ordered from the hotel if you choose to do the optional walk - allow EUR10 per person, payable locally). meals: B DAY 7 Trip concludes The trip concludes after breakfast in Odeceixe. meals: B inclusions 6 breakfasts 6 nights in rural B&Bs and 3 star hotels on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities Daily luggage transfer (1 bag, max 20kg) Route notes and maps per room booked Emergency hotline items not included Travel to Porto Covo and from Odeceixe Lunches, dinners and drinks throughout. Picnic lunches can be prepared by the hotels with advance notice. Payable locally, allow around EUR10 per lunch. Items of a personal nature Entrance fees Tour guide – this is a self guided walking trip Transfers not noted as included Travel insurance getting there BY CAR Driving routes can be accessed via the following websites: www.viamichelin. com BY AIR Your closest airport is Lisbon Airport. A number of flights arrive into Lisbon Airport from points throughout Europe and you can also fly to Lisbon on international flights from outside of Europe. From Lisbon you will need to follow the directions for travel by bus. BY BUS Porto Covo is not on the train line so you will need to take the bus from Lisbon. The Lisbon to Porto Covo bus service is operated by Rede Expressos (www. rede-expressos.pt). The trip takes approximately 3 hours and buses generally depart twice a day - once in the morning, and once in the late afternoon. trip grading ‑ moderate to challenging MODERATE TO CHALLENGING – GRADE 4 © World Expeditions Travel Group - Dana Garofani 1/31/2020 5:39:40 PM Page 3 rota vicentina ‑ the fishermen’s trail This trip involves walking between 3 and 7 hours per day over undulating terrain, often on the beach and on sand, with some short steep ascents and descents.